Flushmate flushing system recalled; system can explode causing lid to fly off tank

A toilet flushing system is being recalled after more than 300 consumers have reported that their toilets have exploded, in some cases launching the lid off the tank.

Flushmate III, a pressure-assisted flushing system, was sold by Lowes, Home Depot and used by American Standard, Crane, Eljer, Gerber, Kohler, Mansfield and St. Thomas plumbing companies.

The recall notice affects more than 2.3 million units sold in the United
States and 9,400 in Canada that were manufactured between October 1997 and
February 2008. Consumers should look at the first six numerals of the
serial code to determine if their units are included in the recall.
Those recalled have numbers 101497 to 022908.

In addition to lids flying off the tank, the tank itself can shatter. The Consumer Product Safety Commission urges owners of the Flushmate system to disconnect the water supply until the unit is fixed.